Michigan

Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook wasn't even the Spartans' starter at the beginning of the 2013 season, but he ended the campaign as the MVP of the Big Ten title game and the Rose Bowl.
(Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)

On paper and on most preseason all-conference teams, reigning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year Braxton Miller would get the nod.

But NFL scouts often look at things in a different way, and former NFL player and scout Bucky Brooks, who now writes for NFL.com, sees Michigan State's Connor Cook as the best QB prospect in the Big Ten entering the 2014 season.

"Evaluators are keeping a close eye on Cook after the Michigan State standout put together a pair of impressive performances in the Big Ten Championship Game and Rose Bowl.

He displayed the poise, moxie and resiliency to make big plays in a high-pressure environment with the game on the line in those contests. Additionally, Cook showcased the pocket-passing skills and arm strength to thrive in an offense that places the burden on the quarterback to create plays in the passing game. With Michigan State expected to open it up in 2014, Cook could make a major move up the charts this season.''

Cook wasn't recruited by Ohio State and didn't get a recruiting letter from the Buckeyes even though he's from Hinckley, Ohio.

Cook feeds off such snubs, and he exhibited as much with his MVP performance against Ohio State in Michigan State's 34-24 Big Ten championship game victory.

Even with the lofty ranking from the NFL.com writer, Cook can still find some motivation in the fact that there's a quarterback on the schedule ranked ahead of him — Oregon's Marcus Mariota, who has been celebrated for his "Hawaiian Chill" factor.

Mariota, who the Spartans' defense will be challenged to stop on Sept. 6 in Eugene, came in at No. 2 on Brooks' list, runner-up to returning Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston from Florida State.